Bass panels AS the ceiling...

mcgsxr · « **on:** 3 Aug 2004, 11:43 pm »

Now I have read quite a bit about DIY bass corner traps, made of rigid 'glass, and wonder.

Since I have a drop ceiling, can I mount these AS panels in the ceiling, or will that not work unless ALL the panels are traps?

Does that make any sense?

mark

Carlman · « **Reply #1 on:** 4 Aug 2004, 12:13 am »

You mean... use them as their intended purpose? I don't know how the DIY'ers would feel about that.

Maybe you should cut Balsa wood into 2x4 squares and staple soft fiberglass to the back side instead...

Seriously though...

I'm sure it would work well as an insulating sound barrier. In order for it to trap anything, there would need to be some way for sound to get into the cavity behind the tiles, though.

-C

mcgsxr · « **Reply #2 on:** 4 Aug 2004, 01:32 am »

Good points all - in order to let some sound around them, could I just do say 8 of my tiles as these panels (say 60% of the total) or would that not work?

Thoughts?

mark

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #3 on:** 4 Aug 2004, 02:49 am »

I think it would work as long as it is exposed...but I don't know how much bass it would trap. It would work for higher frequencies for sure...I think.

Ethan Winer · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 Aug 2004, 10:33 am »

Mark,

> rigid 'glass ... can I mount these AS panels in the ceiling <

Yes, absolutely, and better grade ceiling tiles are in fact made of rigid fiberglass. You used to be able to buy rigid fiberglass ceiling tiles up to three inches thick, and a friend of mine has those in the ceiling of his basement home studio. But these days I don't find any more than one inch thick.

Rigid fiberglass in a ceiling grid is an excellent way to make the entire ceiling into a bass trap. One thing that makes it work so well is the large air gap between the fiberglass and the rigid boundary above. Professional studios often do this, though not always with a standard grid. Sometimes they'll make a more attractive wood frame that does the same job of suspending the fiberglass 6-12 inches below the sheetrock ceiling above.

--Ethan

mcgsxr · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 Aug 2004, 12:14 pm »

Thanks Ethan - to be clear, can I just replace some of the existing tiles with these, or do I have to do all, in order to create a bass trap effect?

Thanks,

Mark

JLM · « **Reply #6 on:** 5 Aug 2004, 10:55 am »

A word of caution. Years ago I removed a drop ceiling from the basement (as it created a low ceiling feeling) and immediately realized how much it had helped with sound transmission from upstairs.

I don't imagine Ethan's products would hurt much if you replace one for one, but I'd shy away from taking away any portion of the ceilng.

BTW thats why thats why they call drop ceiling pads "acoustical". These pads come in many materials from cheap vinyl sheets over 3/4 inch fiberglass batts to painted mineral wool to aluminum covered gypsum. For residential use you'll only find the fiberglass or mineral wool variants.

Ethan Winer · « **Reply #7 on:** 5 Aug 2004, 02:47 pm »

Mark,

> can I just replace some of the existing tiles with these, or do I have to do all, in order to create a bass trap effect? <

The most important place for thick rigid fiberglass tiles is around the perimeter, because bass traps work best near the room corners. Another option that's even easier is to lay thick batts of regular fluffy fiberglass above the existing tiles. If you can fit 12-inch thick fiberglass up there that will do a great job. But even six inches thick will help.

--Ethan

mcgsxr · « **Reply #8 on:** 5 Aug 2004, 03:09 pm »

Thanks for the tips Ethan, I will sort out what does fit, and how to best implement this, in the coming month.

Off to cottage country for a long weekend!

Mark